In Australia we mint coins to celebrate all kinds of special events, mostly anniversaries. My wife and I collect one of each of whatever we come across.
Today we got one that is surely the most unlikely ever. The Hundredth Anniversary of the Australian Tax Office in 2010.
£2, £1 and 50p coins are released periodically to mark events.
I heard on the radio the other day that a whole load of 50p coins are out of circulation as they mark verious Olympic events and people are trying to collect a full set.
more likely to do it with stamps, of which there are dozens every year. The Royal Mint do release commemorative coins occasionally, for collectors; but I'm told their prices are a ripoff. Commemorative issues intended for circulation are generally quite rare.
We also have the ripoff commemorative coins. There was a $5 gold coin with a koala on it that they sold for $200. Funnily enough they never seem to turn up in circulation.
But there are many commemorative one dollar, twenty cent and fifty cent pieces put into normal circulation.